Reed Sheppard capped a major win scoring a career-high 31 points in a remarkable performance, adding nine rebounds and five assists, as the Houston Rockets rallied from 12 points down at halftime to beat the Warriors 104-100 in a rematch from the first round of last season.
The players delivered a spectacular performance as Jimmy Butler had 21 points, five rebounds, and five assists; Stephen Curry scored14 points; and rookie Will Richard added18 for the Warriors.
On the other hand, Moses Moody, who reached 2,000 career points, hit a 3-pointer with six seconds left to pull Golden State within two.
Alperen Sengun successfully added 16 points, six rebounds and six assists for Houston, which scored 22 points off Golden State’s 16 turnovers to win for the seventh time in eight games.
It was observed that Curry and Amen Thompson took a hard fall with 3:24 left, with the game tied at 91, following Thompson’s hard drive to the hoop. The play was initially assessed for a foul.
However, Houston challenged the call, and the ruling on Curry was reversed.
Sheppard’s successive baskets in the closing moments of the third quarter helped Houston pull within 76-64 proceeding into the fourth, then began with a 5-0 burst.
The Rockets were missing Steven Adans because of a right sprained ankle and former Warrior's star Kevin Durant because of a personal matter.
Golden State center AI Horford missed his second consecutive game with sciatica in his right leg, while forward Jonathan Kuminga worked out with the G League Warriors earlier in the day.
The major 104-100 victory, which incorporated Reed Sheppard’s career high, reflects the emergence of a young star and keeps the Rockets moving forward as a serious contender.
